The Office for Student Research and Creativity (OSRC) at John Jay College is offering six annual scholarships to graduate students in the amount of $1,000 each, affording them the opportunity to conduct research or engage in creative works with a John Jay College professor for an average of five to ten hours a week over the course of one year. Award of the Graduate Research/Creativity Assistant Scholarship is based on review by the OSRC Advisory Board. Research/Creativity Scholarships may be taken as a stipend covering the fall, and following spring terms; or awards may be used to fund supplies and costs of the research by the student. At least three of the six scholarships awarded will be given to students typically underrepresented in research activities in their academic fields.

Students ready to apply can access the application form HERE. Those interested in this opportunity but in need of assistance are strongly advised to contact OSRC in a timely manner to discuss the application process, seek help in identifying a faculty mentor, or for any other clarification. Applications are due April 15 with notification by early June. Incomplete or late applications cannot be accepted. Please submit all applications to Bettina Muenster, Office for Student Research & Creativity (OSRC), Room 204.01HH; osrc@jjay.cuny.edu; (212) 887-6237.

Eligibility and application requirements:

Scholarship applicants may come from any major, but may not be supported by any other research program at John Jay (MSRG and other discipline specific research programs, etc.) for the same research project.

Students must be enrolled at JJC for the duration of the scholarship.

Students must identify a committed faculty mentor/recommender upon applying to the scholarship. In case students need assistance in finding an appropriate faculty mentor, they should make an appointment with the Assistant Director of OSRC no later than three weeks prior to the application deadline.

The letter of recommendation must be from the JJC faculty member serving as mentor.

Once the scholarship is awarded, both the student and mentor will be required to sign a letter of commitment to working on the indicated project.

Not required:

Minimum GPA;

Research experience;

IRB review process.

Applications will be rated based on the following criteria:

Students must:

complete an application form (see rubric below for evaluation details);

submit an essay of 750-1000 words:

detailing their research/creative interests and demonstrating an understanding of the project idea;

explaining what they hope to gain from the experience, both academically and professionally; elaborating on the potential outcomes and impact of their work.

Faculty mentors must:

submit a letter of recommendation in which they:

explain in detail how they will guide the student through a comprehensive research/creative project that may include both quantitative and qualitative analysis;

describe the anticipated benefits of the student-mentor relationship;

provide the title, research question, methodology, and rationale of the project;

state the approximate amount of weekly hours (minimum (5) hrs.; maximum (10) hrs.) they will require the mentee to work on the project.

Once accepted:

Students are required to work with their faculty mentors for an average of five to ten hours a week (exact hours to be determined by mentor) over the coming year.

Research must be presented at the annual Research & Creativity week at the end of the spring semester, coinciding with the end of the scholarship.

Students must submit a brief written report or similar writing, summarizing research findings, anticipated impact, and next steps (completion of project by end of scholarship year is NOT required).

Products other than a brief written report are acceptable subject to OSRC Assistant Director approval. Students are strongly encouraged, but not required, to work toward co-publication of the research in a peer-reviewed journal.

Students are required to attend at least (4) cohort meetings throughout the year.

In addition, students must attend several professional development workshops, seminars, lectures, or similar events relevant to the successful conduct of research (events TBA; students must attend at least 75% of events).